CORRELATES OF SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING IN STROKE PATIENTS

Background and Purpose-Data on survival and functioning after stroke n eeds to be supplemented by measures emphasizing the patients' subjecti ve perception. We studied (1) subjective well-being (SWB) as a latent variable in a common-factor model with four items, (2) the reliability of these four items, and (3) variables related to SWB in stroke patie nts. Methods-Data on all stroke patients (n=1417) and a random subsamp le of stroke-free individuals of similar age (n=1439) were collected f rom the Nord-Trondelag Health Survey, a cross-sectional study of 74977 persons. Based on a two-sample factor analysis model, scores of SWB w ere calculated, and variables explaining SWB were studied in a regress ion model. Resulfs-Four items were a priori believed to measure SWB as a latent variable (''satisfaction,'' ''strength,'' ''calmness,'' and ''cheerfulness''). This was confirmed by factor analysis. The reliabil ity of these items (the proportion of the variance of the items that c an be explained by the common factor) was between .42 and .53. Regress ion analyses showed a significant effect of having had a stroke, gende r (lower SWB in men), age (increasing SWB with increasing age), percei ved general health, nervousness, loneliness, sleep problems, social su pport, and use of analgesics. There was no statistical interaction bet ween these variables and having had a stroke. Conclusions-Higher SWB a fter stroke relates to female gender, older age, good general and ment al health, and a firm social network.